Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Julie Bub's Vegan Diner

New cookbook in town! Have you had a chance to check out Julie Hasson's newest, Vegan Diner? Julie and I happen to be birthday twins, and I was lucky enough to receive this from her as my super-special present.

Vegan Diner isn't only for the wheat kids either, it contains plenty of gluten-free recipes, too. A quick peak reveals quinoa burgers, chickpea flour battered onion rings, Great Smoky Mountain Cheese, granola, scrambles, breakfast potatoes, soups, chili, salads, Smoky [soy] Curls, potato salad, fries, Garlic Mashers, garlicky brussels and more. You get what I'm sayin'? Also, many of the gluten-y baked goods convert to xgfx easily--I've found this to be true for recipes that are already vegan, have you? So far I've had the chocolate chip banana bread (the xgfx version will be in my upcoming zine!) and the chocolate chip cookies. This amazing thing happens with the cookies, actually, de-glutenized they turn into these airy, crunchy things with caramelized bits throughout--really yummy. And, just so ya know, Julie has been playing around with xgfx a bunch lately herself, and has even started a variation list on her website to share what's shes tried.

She spoke at a local bookstore the other week for a book signing and we put together a few snacks from the book to share. I contributed her Great Smoky Mountain Cheeze with some crunchy crackers. The cheeze is garlicky and smoky, and although it is a soft spreadable cheeze, it slices well, too. Double win.